Tony Pulis has been so impressed by the Crystal Palace players he inherited from Ian Holloway, he's ready to SCRAP plans to flood the squad with new signings.

Pulis, 52, only accepted the job in November after receiving assurances that he would have funds to bring five players to the Londoners in January - a goalkeeper, three defenders and a forward.

But the existing players have won over the new manager to such an extent he and sporting director Iain Moody are now plotting just two or three deals “high-quality” deals before the end of the month in a bid to keep Palace safe from relegation.

Number one on his list is a top-level striker, although prime target Demba Ba is unlikely to make any move from Chelsea until the final days of the window as he evaluates his options.

Palace had looked at Everton's Hull-bound Nikica Jelavic but were put off by his wage demands, and their scouts continue to watch Sunderland striker Connor Wickham while he's on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Bordeaux forward Cheick Diabate.

Diabate, 25, could be allowed to move after fading from the first-team picture in the autumn and the arrival of former France striker Guillaume Hoarau.

Nicklas Bendtner is also on Palace’s short-list, having been told that he will be available if Arsenal sign another forward.

Pulis is also keen to bring in a central defender, but will only sign a left-back if the deal is right.